(AP) — A former Kansas House member from Topeka will become interim executive director of the Kansas Health Consumer Coalition next month.

The coalition says former Rep. Sean Gatewood will replace executive director Anna Lambertson, who is leaving to lead the Kansas City-based International Relations Council. The council promotes understanding of international affairs among residents in Kansas and Missouri.

Lambertson has been the Health Consumer Coalition’s executive director since 2010.

The group has been a strong advocate for expanding the state’s Medicaid program under the federal health care overhaul. Medicaid provides health coverage for poor and needy Kansans.

Gatewood joined the coalition last year and currently works as director of advocacy. He served in the House for four years before losing his seat in 2012 to Republican Joshua Powell.